Rivers Assembly Declares Seat of 27 Member Who Defectes to APC

The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, December 13, 2024 declared vacant the seats of the 27 members of the House who recently defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

On Monday, December 11, twenty-seven (27) lawmakers loyal to the former governor of the state and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, dumped the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC in the state. 

The defection was a follow-up  sequel to the ongoing political crisis between the incumbent governor, Sim Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. 

The four-member state parliament, led by factional Speaker, Edison Ehie, loyal to the state governor, on Wednesday, said the decision to declare the seats vacant was in line with Section 109 (1) (g) and 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

The Speaker, who read the names of the lawmakers affected, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct a fresh election within the time frame provided by law.

Ehie said: “Distinguished colleagues, the House will duly inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly and indeed, to conduct a fresh election to fill the above vacancies.”